Tourist Attractions & Monuments Central Greece

Located on the Acropolis, it was built by its patron, Herod Atticus, in 161 BC, where the Athens Festival is taking place.

Located on the Avenue Vassiléos-Konstantinou on the other side of the National garden. Nicknamed marble stadium or Kalimarmaro ("beautiful marbles"), this is where the first modern Olympics took Place in 1896. Designed by Ernst Ziller, its architecture builds on the stadium built in IV ° before our age at the same location.

The ramparts visible on the heights of the city were built in medieval times. One notices however in the walls some pieces brought back from older monuments or earlier fortifications that can, without certainty, be traced back to the time of the first ramparts of Cassandra. The walls are the work of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I and the Persian Hormisdas, as indicated by a 9 m long inscription on the upper part of the Hormisdas tower (only part of it has survived).

This fortification was built against the Roman wall, so that they reinforced each other. At the same time, many towers (60 are visible today, including the White Tower) were erected at regular intervals to reinforce the ramparts and protect the very vulnerable lower town. The perimeter of the fortifications reached up to 7 km, of which only 3 km are preserved today. The height of the walls varies from 8.30 m to 10.50 m. Built largely of stone and mortar, they regularly give way to strips of brick which increase the solidity of the building.

The most imposing part of the old fortifications is certainly the White Tower. Overlooking the port of Thessaloniki, it has become its emblem. The tower was probably built by the Turks on the ruins of an older tower, unless it was the work of the Venetians who occupied the city before the Turks.

An immense collector, Anthony Benaki has spent thirty-five years collecting all these objects, dating from prehistory to the present day, housed today in this elegant museum of neoclassical architecture. This enthusiast then donated his house and rare pieces to the State in 1931. And to extend the experience, a gigantic, very modern annex has also opened its doors on Avenue Pireos, housing high quality temporary exhibitions.

On the ground floor , objects dating from the Roman, Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods. In particular, beautiful gold jewellery, mosaics and religious objects. Room 12, magnificent icons. Note in particular the one depicting Saint Anne and the Virgin and a superb altarpiece.

On the first floor are displayed popular art objects marking the development of Hellenism during the periods of foreign domination.

In particular, there is a very fine collection of costumes from the 18th and 19th centuries and, in room 14, a magnificent interior reconstruction. Rooms 17 and 19 house a mansion in Kozani, Macedonia. You will notice the alternation of sculpted vases and double-headed eagles characteristic of neo-Hellenic art. Room 23 houses an admirable collection of illustrations of the Parthenon. In room 26, a huge altarpiece depicting Saint John the Baptist, the Virgin and Child, Christ and Saint George slaying the dragon.

On the second floor , you can walk through the culture and economy of Greek society before the war, through books, traditional musical instruments and other tools of the time.

On the third floor, the objects evoke the passage between the War of Independence and the formation of the modern state. At the entrance is a membership card of the Philiki Etaireia, the secret society formed in preparation for the War of Independence. Many weapons in this room as well as portraits of generals. At the back of the room, photos of Costis Palama, a poet engaged in the struggle for independence, and Constantin Cavafy, a poet of the Greek diaspora.

Museum and shops. The Benaki Museum is one of the great gifts that increased the assets of the State, and at the same time it is the oldest museum organization, operating in Greece as an institution under private law. It consists of 6 exhibition spaces (the main building, the Pireos Building, the Museum of Islamic Art, the Yannis Pappas Studio, the Ghikas Gallery and the Delta Residence) and special departments such as the library and the shop.

It is a striking little bastion of grey stones hung in the void. The very well marked path leads to this 15th century monastery which looks like a strange curiosity hanging from the cliff from where the view is breathtaking. If you go there in the early morning or early evening when the sun is still present, the moment is magical... On July 26, Saint Paraskevi's Day, it is the village festival, and it is from there that the procession starts.

The complex includes many monuments such as the palace, the arch of Galerius, the rotunda, the octagon and the hippodrome. All these buildings were built on the orders of the emperor Galerius.

The first of the monuments of the complex is the Arch of Galerius. Located between the palace and the rotunda, it marked the intersection of two perpendicular streets, including the current Karamanlis, each lined with flamboyant porticoes. It was built to commemorate the victory of Galerius against the Persians, shortly before 305. The sculpted reliefs show the emperor in all his majesty defeating some submissive Barbarians kneeling at his feet. It is interesting to note that the reliefs do not have the beauty of the works of the Hellenistic period, the characters are lifeless, squeezed together, and the proportions are not always respected, which announces the austere stylization of the Middle Ages.

Between Tsimiski and Prinkipos Nikolaou streets, at the level of the Triumphal Arch, the ruins of Galerius' palace. When one knows that only the south-eastern part of the palace is preserved, one can better imagine the proportions which were those of the building. The parts visible today are organized around a vast square courtyard surrounded by four corridors and decorated with mosaics. To the south opens the large door that led directly to the port of the city. But the most impressive part of these ruins is undoubtedly the octagon. This room, remarkable by its architecture was to be used as throne room to the emperor.

The rotunda Saint-Georges is the last monument of the complex of Galerius. Research has proven that it was part of the great palatial complex since it was connected to the Arch of Galerius, itself connected to the palace by gigantic porticoes. Some think that it was a temple dedicated to Jupiter, others that Galerius had wanted to make a mausoleum of it (which was never used) or that the rotunda was used during the organization of demonstrations in the palace. The interior walls of its lower part were covered with marble while the high part was decorated with splendid mosaics. Around 400, the rotunda was converted into a Christian church and thus underwent some architectural changes - some of which would have precipitated its collapse during an earthquake. At the time of the Turkish domination, it was transformed into a mosque. Its impressive mosaic decoration dates from the Christian era.

This fairly well preserved monument dates back to 160. and was discovered in 1889. As the castle, it is the place for summer cultural events and its stands can accommodate up to 2000 spectators. The program is to be obtained at the Tourist Office.

The ancient section of this museum is not most consistent, but the maritime and naval part is much more complete. There are numerous models of boats, maps, navigational instruments…

In the museum's exterior gallery you can admire a statue of Apollo as well as statues of women in armour, embodiment of Iliad and Odyssey.

Windows 1 to 3 present objects from the Neolithic age and bronze age, as well as mycéniennes pottery.

The showcase 4 shows offerings found in mycenaean tombs.

By entering the museum, objects discovered in mycéniennes tombs (showcase 5), including an admirable little pyxide in ivory whose decor represents griffins attacking biches. Also the schematic of a mycenaean tomb and gold ornaments designed to be sewn on mortuary clothing.

In the storefront 9, the burial urn of a warrior beside the tomb of a girl.

In the 12 storefront, cooking tests that determined the ideal cooking for the pottery.

In the showcase 13, a funeral pythos (huge jar) still containing the remains of a child.

The showcase 20 transports us to the classical age and evokes the life of Socrates on the Agora. The most impressive of these is the collection of small vials that had to contain the hemlock that was being drunk to death prisoners. Also a statuette presenting the face of the famous philosopher.

The 27 showcase exhibits pieces of court at the time: the bronze ballot papers; full chips meant that the accused was executed while the hollow stems meant that they were being condemned. See also, the only clepsydra arrived to us. They were used to limit the time of the pleadings.

In the storefront 23 is a mould used for performances of Apollo.

The 24 wall display presents a superb spartan shield taken by the Greeks during a fight. Also notice the child's breakthrough chair of the storefront 35. Also try to understand the operation of the machine to allocate public charges placed on the storefront 28.

The showcase 29 presents a very nice vase as an athlete.

In the showcase 34 is exposed a shield taken by the Greeks to the Persians during the battle of Pylos.

The 38 showcase presents a large number of shards that captures names of the city's citizens. These shards were used at ostracism assemblies (ostraca means "ceramic" in Greek) which decided to refer the town's citizens to: It reads the names of Themistocles, Callixénos and Aristide the Righteous, who were exiled back to the same time between 417 and 487.

In the 44 storefront, you can finally admire the beautiful terracotta figures, especially those representing theatre characters. The busts exhibited later all date from Roman times, and ceramics from Roman and Byzantine eras. Among them are the very beautiful young satire and the fragment of soil in mosaic exposed on the wall of the bottom of the room.

It is one of the best preserved theatres in Greece. Built in the 4th century BC in limestone from Parnassus, it was restored in the 2nd century BC and decorated a century later with a bas-relief depicting the works of Heracles.

Contemporary to the temple of Apollo, it was still undergoing some work in the 2nd century AD by the Romans to accommodate up to 5,000 spectators. Not everything is there and some of the preserved fragments are on display in the museum. We must imagine today that dramatic and lyrical competitions were held in the theatre during the great festivals of the sanctuary. The orchestra, a large circular paved track where the choir used to perform, was surrounded by a still visible aqueduct used for the drainage of rainwater. Just behind were the stage and, further back, the stage buildings. These were deliberately low to allow spectators to enjoy the view of the valley.

Going along the theatre, and following the path marked out, one reaches a place from where one can see: below on the right, the so-called Corcyrean base, in front of which a foundation of grey limestone and tuff carried the tall column of three young women dancing; high up on the left, the hall of Knidé, which it is not necessary to go and see up close. It was probably a large room richly decorated with paintings, the roof of which was supported by two rows of four wooden pillars.

On the way back to the theater, a rather difficult climb leads to the stadium. Built in the ^5th century B.C., it was rather crude since the embankment was used as bleachers. These limestone ones, still visible, were built by Herod Atticus.

The 7,000-seater stadium, 177.55 m long and 25.50 m wide, was the venue for the Pythic Games, which were held every eight years from 582 BC onwards, and then every four years thereafter. They commemorated Apollo's victory over the serpent Python and included musical, sports and equestrian competitions. Athletes and judges entered the stadium by passing under a triumphal arch supported by four pillars of which pieces remain. On the start and finish lines, you can still see notches that served as foot restraints for the athletes who were running on the track. Finally, a last visible testimony of these Games is the presence of a high-backed bench, 7 m long, in the middle of the bleachers on the right side. This was where the judges who decided between the competitors sat.

Here is a nice opportunity to walk along the lagoon, especially as the end is the beautiful beach of Voïdokila. The area is part of the Natura 2000 programme, which aims to protect local fauna and flora. Therefore, positions are installed to allow you to observe the birds that are coming to this area. The chameleon, protected species, have also installed in this unique place.

In the rue Paleologou and following it to the left, you arrive at the foot of the old acropolis. The surrounding wall dates from the 3rd and 4th centuries and was built to protect the city from barbaric invasions. Inside the walls, we can see the remains of a theatre that lost its stands used during the construction of Mystra. Behind the theatre, the remains of a sanctuary dedicated to Athena. Similarly, outside the ramparts, on the other side of the main road to Tripoli, the foundations of a sanctuary dedicated to Artemis Orthia.

The Monastery of the Holy Trinity was probably built in the 15th century by the monk Dometius and decorated with murals by the brothers Antonios and Nikolaos. From the top of its rock, it offers without a doubt the most beautiful and characteristic picture of the Meteors. The first impression one gets of this monastery, when one sees it appearing in the distance, is striking with, in the foreground, the rocky peak that seems to emerge from the Pinion valley and, in the background, the peaks of Le Pinde and its wooded slopes. The summit used to be reached by a rope ladder or gondola, before a staircase of 140 steps was carved out of the rock in 1925. The first church you see when you enter is the church of Saint-Jean-Prodome. It is a circular chapel carved out of the rock. It was decorated with murals and religious paintings in 1862.Before entering the church oratory, we discover the sacristy, built in 1684 according to the epigraph on the wall. Objects of worship such as precious crosses or priestly vestments were placed there. All these objects, some of which were very valuable, were looted by the Germans during the war. We even stole the monastery bell tower! Twenty-six ancient icons have survived this vandalism; they are in the Varlaam convent. The oratory is beautiful with its silver-covered gospel printed in Venice in 1539. On the dome appears Christ and in the four corners the evangelists.

Dedicated to the apostle Saint André, the patron saint of the city who died crucified here in 60, this Orthodox Basilica was inaugurated in 1974, while its construction began in 1908. In Byzantine style, it is famous for being the largest basilica in the Balkans.

The history of this church is still unknown today. It is thought to have been built in the 14th century, attached to the Vlattades monastery in the 17th century and was never occupied by the Turks, unlike the other churches in the city. Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) was also the protector of orphaned children. According to local tradition, the existence of an orphanage inside the monastery was the origin of this name.

Inside, we can see the capitals of the columns which have kept their colours as well as the balustrade surrounding the choir, which remained intact. The frescoes in this small church are particularly impressive. Having never been transformed into a mosque, a large part of its painted decorations have remained unchanged.

The paintings are organized into registers. The lower register represents a large number of saints and the upper registers show many scenes symbolizing the twelve great feasts and miracles. The characters in the various paintings mix with each other despite the red edges that frame the festive scenes. The colours are bright and splendid, the contours of the faces are very soft.

The walls are filled with magnificent 14th century murals of unique style and quality. The colours are exceptional and it is a remarkable collection of frescoes that could be considered a masterpiece of religious art.

According to legend, the basilica was built on the very site of the martyrdom of Saint Dimitri, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, whose feast day is October 26. It was destroyed twice, following fires, and rebuilt before being transformed into a mosque under Turkish rule.

You can go down into the crypt, to the right of the choir. First we enter a small chapel that housed the saint's remains, just after his death. Openings have been made in the walls to allow the faithful to contemplate his body. Continuing along its path, we arrive at the ciborium with 7 columns. It was used to receive the holy oils that were poured on the saint's tomb and which flowed into the circular basin in front of it. You still have to admire the capitals of the columns that support the ensemble and especially the beautiful examples of capitals with acanthus leaves "turned over by a gust of wind". There are also beautiful mosaics, such as the one representing Saint Dimitri with a clergyman on the right of the choir, just outside the crypt. Similarly, you can admire the mosaic representing Saint Demetra surrounded by two children, to the left of the choir. On the right and in parallel, the representation of Saint Dimitri with Saint Serge. Just next door, Saint Dimitri is represented between the two founders of the church: an ecclesiastic and a layman. Finally, admire the mosaic of the Virgin Mary with a saint, opposite the previous one on the other side of the choir.

The Methoni Citadel is one of the most beautiful Venetian citadels in the country. Closing off the western part of the bay, this citadel remains one of the best preserved in the whole Mediterranean. It is entered by a majestic stone bridge built in 1828 by the French. From the top of the famous Bourzi Tower, built by the Turks in the 16th century, you have a beautiful view of the mainland and the islands of Sapientza and Schiza. The rest of the citadel offers little to see, but you can always go for a walk on the ramparts or visit the defensive bastions.

On the northwest side of the Temple of the Olympiad is Hadrian's Gate, an impressive 18-metre high marble arch. Hadrian's gate was built in honour of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. It delineated the boundary between the ancient city of Theseus and the new Roman city that extended from the current Avenue Amalias to Illissos. It is a unique Romanesque arch, framed by two Corinthian columns. Above, the two statues of Theseus and Hadrian were erected on the same level.